Fibroids Specialist
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Precious L. Braswell, MD
Board Certified OBGYN located in East Point, GA
Fibroids are uterine growths that often appear between the ages of 30 and 40. If you have a fibroid, it can cause pain and bleeding, but Precious L. Braswell, MD, OB/GYN, LLC, can address your condition with appropriate treatment. Dr. Braswell, a board-certified OB/GYN, provides integrative treatments for fibroids in East Point, Georgia. Call today or schedule your fibroids consultation online.
Fibroids Q & A
What are fibroids?
Fibroids are growths of muscular tissue that appear in or on your uterus. Doctors call these growths a leiomyoma, or just "myoma."
The vast majority of uterine fibroids aren't cancerous. In most cases, you won't know you have a fibroid because many do not cause symptoms. However, sometimes these growths trigger painful symptoms and may affect your ability to get pregnant.
How do I know I have a fibroid?
The following signs may mean you have a uterine fibroid:
- Painful periods
- Uterine bleeding
- Cramps
- Painful sex
- Lower back pain
- Frequent urination
- Enlarged abdomen
- Bleeding between periods
Fibroids also may cause pregnancy complications and in rare cases may interfere with your ability to get pregnant.
Why do I have fibroids?
Modern medicine is still searching for the exact cause of fibroids. Doctors believe that hormone levels might play a role.
Estrogen and progesterone are two types of hormones in your body. Both of these hormones seem to control the growth of fibroids.
For example, taking anti-hormone medication tends to cause fibroids to shrink in size. During pregnancy, when hormone levels are on the rise, fibroids appear to grow quickly.
Fibroids also appear to run in families, so you might be at a greater risk for developing fibroids if your mother had them.
What are the available treatments for fibroids?
Dr. Braswell tailors your treatment to the severity of your symptoms, among other factors. She may prescribe medication to manage fibroids that are causing pain or heavy periods.
Birth control pills can address heavy bleeding and painful periods. A medication called a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist may help to shrink the fibroid and also stop your period. An IUD also may reduce heavy, painful bleeding.
If these conservative measures aren't helping, Dr. Braswell may suggest minimally invasive treatments or surgery, such as hysteroscopy, uterine artery embolization, or hysterectomy.
Some fibroid treatments affect your ability to become pregnant. Feel free to discuss your family planning goals with Dr. Braswell. She listens to you and customizes your treatment strategy to promote your overall well-being and individual situation.
If you're experiencing heavy bleeding or other signs of fibroids, call the office of Precious L. Braswell, MD, OB/GYN, LLC, or schedule a consultation online with Dr. Braswell for an evaluation.
